SHALL WE SUPPORT DENOMINATIONALISM?

SHALL WE SUPPORT
DENOMINATIONALISM?

John D. Cotham
It must be understood that false teachers and false doctrines exist today. The apostle John said: “Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world” (I John 4:1). John wrote this before the first century ended.
The apostle Paul warned, “Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils; Speaking lies in hypocrisy; having their conscience seared with a hot iron” (I Tim. 4:1-2); and again, “For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears; And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables” (II Tim. 4:3-4).
This is a sad commentary on mankind, but it is true. Today, we live in a world where man has so distorted God’s word that it is impossible to know all the many different false doctrines and false “faiths” that exist.
Shall those who insist on following the truth of God’s word support these doctrines and the people who preach, teach, and practice these doctrines? The Holy Spirit answered this question through the apostle John in II John 1:9-11, “Whosoever transgresseth, and abideth not in the doctrine of Christ, hath not God. He that abideth in the doctrine of Christ, he hath both the Father and the Son. If there come any unto you, and bring not this doctrine, receive him not into your house, neither bid him God speed: For he that biddeth him God speed is partaker of his evil deeds.”
In spite of the Scriptures above, some Christians (hopefully through ignorance) still support some of these false teachers and their false doctrines. Just how might we be guilty of supporting false doctrine?
1) We can be guilty of supporting it by our language, attitudes and actions. Some are guilty of using denominational language. From time to time one might hear a child of God call the preacher “Pastor” or “Reverend.” A preacher is neither. “Reverend” is a term used to describe God. It has never been a term assigned to the proclaimer of God’s word. Read Matthew 23:8-12. The only way a preacher might truly be a pastor is if he is one of the installed pastors, elders, bishops, etc. And, the Lord’s church has never had just one pastor.
2) We might hear a child of God talk about witnessing. No one in the twentieth century is a “witness” in the New Testament sense. Witnesses are those who “see and tell.” In choosing one to take the place of Judah Iscariot, notice Acts 1:21-22, “Wherefore of these men which have companied with us all the time that the Lord Jesus went in and out among us, Beginning from the baptism of John, unto that same day that he was taken up from us, must one be ordained to be a witness with us of his resurrection.” Also Luke 24:45-48, “Then opened he their understanding, that they might understand the scriptures, And said unto them, Thus it is written, and thus it behoved Christ to suffer, and to rise from the dead the third day: And that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in his name among all nations, beginning at Jerusalem. And ye are witnesses of these things.” No one living today were eye witnesses of these things.
3) We might hear a child of God talking about someone saved in their hospital bed or on their death-bed. Such is an impossibility. One must be baptized in water to be saved (Acts 2:38; Mark 16:16). One cannot pray through, nor can a preacher pray someone’s sins away.
4) Sometimes Christians support denominational people by attending their functions. Some have gone to their “Easter” programs or “Christmas” programs. Some might even go to one of their “revivals.” Remember John said that to do so is to bid them God speed in their efforts (II John 9-11).
5) It could be that some of us have supported their error financially. In my home town there is a large Catholic complex: huge church building, convent and school. Each year there are two “fun carnivals” held. People flock in by the groves. And, yes, sometimes Christians are present. In the past they also have a monthly smorgasbord on a Sunday afternoon. Groves flock to eat their Sunday dinner; yes, sometimes even Christians.
6) The easiest way for the average Christian to support false teachers and false doctrine is to just keep their mouth shut. So many are weak and they are never willing to “earnestly contend for the faith” (Jude 3). To let a co-worker espouse his false doctrine without rebuttal from God’s word is to “bid one God speed” in his doctrine. Peter said: “But and if ye suffer for righteousness’ sake, happy are ye: and be not afraid of their terror, neither be troubled; But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear” (I Peter 3:14-15). Paul said “...I am set for the defence of the gospel” (Phil. 1:7,17).
120 Stegall Rd.
Shady Valley, TN 37688